The Role:
This is an opportunity to lead at the intersection of DNA Manufacturing, Cell Bank operations, Operational Excellence, technology transfer, quality, digital capability, and manufacturing performance, helping translate complex technical and business priorities into reliable execution.
You will lead a highly capable team while owning the continuous improvement agenda for DNA Manufacturing, using operational data, structured problem solving, and cross-functional leadership to identify risks, unlock capacity, strengthen processes, and deliver sustainable improvements.
As a member of the DNA Leadership Team, you will influence priorities beyond your immediate function, solve complex and ambiguous challenges across organizational boundaries, and help build the manufacturing capabilities, culture, and digital ways of working needed for the next stage of Moderna’s operations.
Here’s What You’ll Do:
- Lead, develop, and coach a team of Specialists and Senior Specialists with broad expertise across DNA and Cell Bank manufacturing processes, building a highly capable and adaptable team that can address evolving operational priorities.
- Own and continuously improve the DNA Manufacturing continuous improvement and Operational Excellence program, including the identification, prioritization, execution, and benefits realization of improvement opportunities.
- Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives spanning DNA Manufacturing and partner organizations, establishing clear objectives, governance, execution plans, decision-making mechanisms, and accountability for delivery.
- Own the strategy and execution of manufacturing change controls associated with area improvements, ensuring changes are effectively planned, assessed, implemented, embedded, and sustained within manufacturing operations.
- Provide manufacturing leadership and execution support for technology transfers, serving as the Manufacturing representative, coordinating manufacturing readiness activities, and providing project management across cross-functional teams to enable successful transfer and execution.
- Lead the use of operational data, performance indicators, manufacturing trends, and operational insights to proactively identify emerging risks, improvement opportunities, capacity constraints, and priorities for DNA Operations.
- Establish and continuously evolve effective operational performance management mechanisms, including dashboards, routine performance reviews, action tracking, and escalation processes for emerging issues.
- Serve as a GMP leader and manufacturing subject matter expert, providing support for investigations, operational events, risk assessments, change implementation, and other quality system activities as required.
- Partner closely with Manufacturing Science & Technology (MSAT), Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Digital, CMC Development, Planning, and other stakeholders to integrate technical, quality, supply, and business priorities into effective manufacturing execution.
- Support the organization’s ongoing state of inspection readiness, ensuring the team, processes, documentation, change activity, and improvements within the role’s scope are prepared to effectively support regulatory inspections.
- Build organizational capability in continuous improvement, structured problem solving, project execution, data-driven decision making, and change management, strengthening the organization’s ability to respond effectively to evolving manufacturing needs.
- Serve as a member of the DNA Leadership Team, contributing to strategy, organizational priorities, operational performance, workforce engagement, and the resolution of issues affecting the broader DNA Operations organization.
- Foster a positive, collaborative, accountable, and inclusive working culture across DNA Manufacturing, acting as a visible leader and role model while supporting the overall performance and well-being of the organization.
- Act as a trusted advisor and problem solver for DNA Operations leadership, proactively identifying opportunities and taking ownership of complex or ambiguous challenges that cross traditional functional and organizational boundaries.
- Work with Digital and cross-functional partners to explore how Generative AI and other advanced digital tools can strengthen operational insights, structured problem solving, knowledge access, performance management, and decision making, while operating within appropriate manufacturing, quality, and data-governance requirements.
- Drive success through the team’s ability to execute complex initiatives, deliver sustainable improvements, effectively manage change, enable successful technology transfers, use data proactively to identify opportunities and risks, and continuously strengthen the capability and overall performance of DNA Manufacturing.
The key Moderna Mindsets you’ll need to succeed in the role:
- “We act with dynamic range, driving strategy and execution at the same time at every step.”
- “We digitize everywhere possible using the power of code to maximize our impact on patients.”
Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, manufacturing, or another relevant technical discipline or an equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience.
- Demonstrated experience in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, technical operations, manufacturing sciences, operational excellence, or a related environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and develop people, including creating clarity, setting priorities, coaching performance, and building organizational capability.
- Proven ability to influence and lead effectively within a complex matrix organization, including situations where successful execution requires alignment of stakeholders outside the individual's direct authority.
- Demonstrated ownership and successful execution of complex, cross-functional projects or programs, from problem definition and strategy through implementation and sustained results.
- Experience with GMP manufacturing and quality systems, including change control and other mechanisms used to implement and sustain changes in a regulated environment.
- Experience supporting technology transfer, manufacturing readiness, process implementation, or other cross-functional technical programs.
- Strong understanding of continuous improvement and operational excellence principles, with demonstrated ability to translate them into measurable improvements in manufacturing performance.
- Demonstrated ability to use data, trends, and performance indicators to identify problems, establish priorities, and drive decisions and improvement.
- Strong communication, stakeholder management, and organizational leadership skills, with the ability to communicate effectively from the manufacturing floor through senior leadership.
- Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, connect technical and business considerations, and take ownership of problems that do not fit neatly within traditional functional boundaries.
- Experience supporting regulatory inspections and inspection readiness activities preferred.
Schedule: Monday–Friday; flexibility may be required to support critical manufacturing activities, technology transfers, regulatory inspections, or significant operational events.
Our Working Model
As we build our company, we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model.
This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.
Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment.
Pay & Benefits
At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our benefits and well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
- Competitive healthcare, plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs
- A holistic approach to well-being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
- Family planning benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
- Savings and investments to help you plan for the future
- Location-specific perks and extras
The salary range for this role is $130,800.00 - $209,400.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An individual’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, and business or organizational needs.
The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.
